How Long Do Jeep Wranglers Last? Is It Worth Your Money?

The rugged looks of Jeep Wranglers and their ability to tackle the toughest terrain can really give you the impression that this vehicle is designed to last forever.

This holds some truth given that Jeep Wranglers have an exceptionally long lifespan and very few vehicles come close in comparison. The old jeeps that still hitting the road act as enough proof of this.

But this beloved American 4x4 vehicle isn’t without issues and won’t really last a lifetime. It will exhibit various problems from time to time and will cease performing after hitting a certain mileage.

So, what’s the lifespan of a Jeep Wrangler?

On average, a jeep wrangler will last a cool 15 years and hit a total of 200,000 miles before it starts showing problems that affect its performance. With good care and regular maintenance of your Wrangler, however, it can serve you for longer than this—up to 20 years and achieve over 400,000 miles!

Why the wrangler hits such an excellent lifespan?

Well, it’s simple…this vehicle is primarily built outdoors and features rugged construction to enable it to tackle the toughest terrains on the planet. Not many vehicles can take such a beating and continue performing well like a wrangler, hence the exceptional longevity of the Wrangler.

How to make your Jeep Wrangler last longer?

The secret to making your Jeep Wrangler lasts long lies in taking good care of it. Neglect your wrangler and slap it with a poor maintenance record, and it slaps you back with an accelerated aging process plus multiple problems.

One way to take good care of your wrangler involves driving it safely. Yes, you can’t drive your vehicle carelessly and expect it to last long or go beyond the 200,000-mile mark.

The other part of taking care of your Jeep Wrangler’s is giving it regular maintenance.

And unlike what many people tend to believe, wranglers aren’t high maintenance vehicles. The maintenance fee for your Wrangler should be roughly $450 on average.

All you have to do is understand the key parts of your wrangler that suffer from tear and wear easily and focus your attention on them. The vehicle user manual will offer you a complete guide on how to perform maintenance on your wrangler for an extended lifespan.

By adopting the following basic maintenance tips, you can prolong the life of your wrangler and get the most out of it.

Perform regular oil changes

Strictly change the oil and oil filter in your wrangler after every 6 months (or 500 miles). This will help get rid of excess dirt and sludge that builds up in your car engine with time. This makes your engine cleaner and translates to more effective engine performance.

Bad things happen if you leave your wrangler oil unchanged. The entire oil will turn into sludge, and it will no longer be able to draw heat from your car engine. The engine becomes overheated, leading to poor engine performance and ultimately a complete engine failure!

Observe this simple maintenance exercise or it might cost you your Wrangler. And be sure to use the correct oil that’s compatible with your jeep wrangler engine to ensure your vehicle hits its optimal performance potential.

Inspect your suspension system regularly

The suspension system is a crucial part of an off-roader in that it helps offer traction for your wrangler while keeping the wheels off ground at all times. Most importantly, it enhances your comfort by smoothening out your rides when driving on bumpy trails.

Unfortunately, this suspension system becomes less effective the more you continue driving your jeep. When this happens, you start experiencing problems with your vehicle, including poor handling. Having your system checked regularly and the necessary parts replaced on time is, therefore, crucial.

Don’t forget the tires

Tires are one of the parts of your jeep wrangler that will wear out fast. this is especially true if you hit off-road more often crawling rocks, muddy areas, and mountains can be unforgiving to your tires.

Your driving style can also affect how quickly your tires wear out. it doesn’t matter how high-quality off-road tires you use, make a point of inspecting your tires regularly and changing them more often.

When you should change your jeep wrangler tires? Every time you notice the thread bars appear on your tires means it’s time to replace the tires with new ones. If possible, make a point of changing the tires at the same time you change your vehicle oil.

Did you know that your vehicle suspension system is directly related to your tires? It tends to perform better and last longer if you roll it on good tires.

Keep an eye on the shock absorbers

if you want to keep your wrangler running for many years, another crucial area you need to focus on is the shock absorbers. These are a crucial part of your vehicle but tend to wear out as you continue using your vehicle.

The more you drive your wrangler, the faster its shock absorbers wear out. The average lifespan falls between 4 to 5 years.

Experts suggest checking the wrangler shock absorbers after every 40,000 to 50,000 miles. After this, make an effort to have them inspected once every year.

When it comes to replacing your jeep’s shock absorbers, you’d want to consider using high-quality ones that will offer you longer service life.

Check the rear brakes regularly

The rear brakes of your jeep wrangler can wear faster than the front brakes. The rate at which they wear depends on how much you drive your vehicle and the kind of terrains you drive it in.

Brake pads tend to last 40,000 miles after which they should be changed to ensure a continued smooth performance of your wrangler.

The wear is uneven when it comes to newer vehicles, where the rear rotors show noticeable wear while the front ones are still looking new.

If you start noticing your car making strange noises, we suggest that you’re your wrangler brakes checked ASAP.

Soft top needs care too

As you already know, Jeep Wrangler comes in two types of tops—soft and hard tops. If your Wrangler comes with the soft option, then you should bear in mind that the top material is sailcloth vinyl and can wear faster compared to hard tops.

UV rays, in particular, can quickly deteriorate your top and make it wear out quickly.

One way to keep the hard top in good condition for long involves shielding it from harsh weather like hail, snow, and storms. Keeping your Wrangler covered or parking in the garage can help keep off these elements.

Taking care of your soft top also means cleaning it with the right cleaning materials that aren’t too hard on it.

What if your top already has a tear? We advise you to get a soft/convertible repair kit and fix it immediately. If neglected, this tear might grow into a bigger problem that costs more or forces you to replace the entire cover with a new one.

Rust protection

keeping your Jeep Wrangler protected from rust and corrosion can also improve its longevity. Keeping off the rust is as simple as inhibiting the agents that result in rust. You’ll need to wash and wax your vehicle as often as possible. remember to give more attention to the undercarriage.

If you don’t plan to use your jeep for a long time, make sure you cover it or store it in the carport or garage. These simple measures help keep off UV and other elements that can quicken the aging process of your 4x4 vehicle.

Final verdict

The average Wrangler will last for up to 15 years or 200,000 miles. But if you take good care of your car and subject it to regular, proper maintenance, you can significantly improve its longevity and make it serve you for more than 15 years and achieve 200,000+ miles. The tips we have offered you in this guide will give you a good idea of where to start in your journey to taking good care of your car. One more thing; remember to drive your Wrangler safely as part of keeping it in good shape and improving its lifespan.